[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 59 (Friday, March 26, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 15746-15747]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-6747]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 73

[Docket No. FAA-2003-16722; Airspace Docket No. 03-AWP-19]
RIN 2120-AA66


Establishment of Restricted Area 2503D, Camp Pendleton; CA

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to establish a restricted area (R-2503D) 
over Camp Pendleton, CA. Specifically, this action proposes to convert 
the current San Onofre High and Low Military Operations Areas (MOA) and 
the associated Controlled Firing Area (CFA) to R-2503D. The FAA is 
taking this action to assist the Camp Pendleton U.S. Marine Corps 
(USMC) Base, CA, mission of providing realistic fleet training 
requirements and to enhance safety.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 10, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this proposal to the Docket Management 
System, U.S. Department of Transportation, Room Plaza 401, 400 Seventh 
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001. You must identify FAA Docket 
No. FAA-2003-16722, and Airspace Docket No. 03-AWP-19, at the beginning 
of your comments. You may also submit comments on the Internet at 
http://dms.dot.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ken McElroy, Airspace and Rules, 
Office of System Operations and Safety, ATOP-R, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591; 
telephone: (202) 267-8783.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested parties are invited to participate in this proposed 
rulemaking by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they 
may desire. Comments that provide the factual basis supporting the 
views and suggestions presented are particularly helpful in developing 
reasoned regulatory decisions on the proposal. Comments are 
specifically invited on the overall regulatory aeronautical, economic, 
environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal.
    Communications should identify both docket numbers (FAA Docket No. 
FAA-2003-16722, and Airspace Docket no. 03-AWP-19) and be submitted in 
triplicate to the Docket Management System (see ADDRESSES section for 
address and phone number). You may also submit comments through the 
Internet at http://dms.dot.gov.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
on this action must submit with those comments a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to FAA Docket No. FAA-2003-16722, and Airspace Docket No. 03-AWP-19.'' 
The postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the commenter.
    All communications received on or before the specified closing date 
for comments will be considered before taking action on the proposed 
rule. The proposal contained in this action may be changed in light of 
comments received. All comments submitted will be available for 
examination in the public docket both before and after the closing date 
for comments. A report summarizing each substantive public contact with 
FAA personnel concerned with this rulemaking will be filed in the 
docket.

Availability of NPRM's

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the 
Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. Recently published rulemaking documents 
can also be accessed through the FAA's Web page at http://www.faa.gov, 
or the Federal Register's Web page at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html.
    You may review the public docket containing the proposal, any 
comments received and any final disposition in person in the Dockets 
Office (see ADDRESSES section for address and phone number) between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except

[[Page 15747]]

Federal holidays. An informal docket may also be examined during normal 
business hours at the office of the Regional Air Traffic Division, AWP-
520, 15000 Aviation Boulevard, Lawndale, CA 90261.
    Persons interested in being placed on a mailing list for future 
NPRM's should contact the FAA's Office of Rulemaking, (202) 267-9677, 
for a copy of Advisory Circular No. 11-2A, Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking Distribution System, which describes the application 
procedure.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to Title 14 Code of Federal 
Regulations (14 CFR) part 73 (part 73) to revise and expand the 
dimensions of the current San Onofre MOAs over the Camp Pendleton, CA, 
area. The USMC has requested these changes because the existing special 
use airspace does not permit essential large-scale amphibious assault 
activities (including artillery live-fire, fixed-wing close air 
support, and remotely operated aircraft operations).
    The existing restricted areas over Camp Pendleton are R-2503A, 
extending from the surface up to 2000 feet mean sea level (MSL); R-
2503B, extending from the surface up to 15,000 feet MSL; and R-2503C, 
extending from 15,000 feet MSL to FL 270. These areas will not be 
changed. The San Onofre High and Low MOAs lie adjacent to the 
restricted areas from 2,000 feet MSL up to, but not including 8,000 
feet MSL. This proposed amendment would convert the San Onofre High and 
Low MOAs, and the associated CFA to R-2503D, which would extend from 
2,000 feet MSL up to 11,000 feet MSL. The San Onofre MOA and CFA 
designations would be revoked.
    The time of designation for R-2503D would be intermittent by NOTAM 
24 hours in advance, and limited to a maximum use of 20 days per year 
from 0600 to 2400 hours local time, and no more than 90 days per year 
between 0001 and 0600 local time. The restricted area would be 
available for joint-use and scheduled for training operations on an as 
needed basis subject to the maximum use limits.
    The FAA has determined that this proposed regulation only involves 
an established body of technical regulations for which frequent and 
routine amendments are necessary to keep them operationally current. 
Therefore, this proposed regulation: (1) Is not a ``significant 
regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a 
``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 
FR 11034; February 26, 1979); and (3) does not warrant preparation of a 
regulatory evaluation as the anticipated impact is so minimal. Since 
this is a routine matter that will only affect air traffic procedures 
and air navigation, it is certified that this rule, when promulgated, 
will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

Environmental Review

    This proposal will be subject to the appropriate environmental 
analysis in accordance with FAA Order 1050.1D, Policies and Procedures 
for Considering Environmental Impacts, prior to any FAA final 
regulatory action.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 73

    Airspace, Navigation (air).

The Proposed Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation 
Administration proposes to amend 14 CFR part 73 as follows:

PART 73--SPECIAL USE AIRSPACE

    1. The authority citation for part 73 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O. 10854, 24 
FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389.


Sec.  73.25  [Amended]

    2. Sec.  73.25 is amended as follows:
* * * * *

R-2503D Camp Pendleton, CA [Added]

Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 33[deg]22'42'' N.; long. 
117[deg]36'45'' W.; to lat. 33[deg]27'13'' N.; long. 117[deg]34'17'' 
W.; to lat. 33[deg]18'41'' N.; long. 117[deg]23'58'' W.; to lat. 
33[deg]17'30'' N.; long. 117[deg]16'43'' W.; to lat. 
33[deg]14'09''N.; long. 117[deg]26'38'' W.; to the point of the 
beginning by following a line 1 NM from and parallel to the 
shoreline.

    Designated altitudes. 2,000 feet MSL to 11,000 feet MSL.
    Time of designation. Intermittent by NOTAM 24 hours in advance 
not to exceed 20 days per year from 0600 to 2400 local time and not 
more than 90 days per year between 0001 and 0600 local.
    Controlling agency. FAA, Southern California TRACON.
    Using agency. U.S. Marine Corps, Commanding General, MCB Camp 
Pendleton, CA.
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, March 18, 2004.
Reginald C. Matthews,
Manager, Airspace and Rules.
[FR Doc. 04-6747 Filed 3-25-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P